GAME DAY TIPS
GAME DAY CHECKLIST
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DO YOU KNOW:
Where the game is?
Who the Ref is / have contact details?
Who are the opposition? Do you have a contact for their team (coach/club official)?
The night before, it is good to be prepared with knowledge of who is coming to the game, who is not going, what your starting lineup will be and an idea of a substitution plan to ensure all the kids get equal playing time
DO THE PARENTS KNOW:
Where the game is?
What time they need to be there?
Do you have all of their contact details?
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Make sure you arrive in good time, before the rest of the team. If you are at home, check:
✅The field and surrounding areas are safe to play (no termite mounds, debris, or unsafe rocks)
✅Is the field lined?!
✅Do you have goals with nets?
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
✅BALLS (with a bag!)
✅A PUMP
✅CONES
✅PINNIES
✅GOALS
✅FIRST AID (bandages, band-aid, water, ice/ice-pack, heat/cold spray)
✅EXTRA JERSEYS
✅TEAMSHEET & REF PAYMENT
Positions
You don’t have to be a tactical mastermind or know about the nuances of positions at U6-U8 level. Designated positions are not 100% necessary, but you can give them some guidance and introduce concepts.
You can start with a diamond formation, also called a 1-2-1. Meaning, 1 Defense, 2 Midfield, 1 Striker. You can include the Goalkeeper and call it a 1-1-2-1.
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✅Can use their hands in the goal area
✅Usually stays in the goal area in front of the goal but can use their feet outside
✅Has fun diving for the ball like a cat!
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✅Is the furthest player back, but available to support the attack and keeps an eye on the opposition striker
✅Joins the attack at the base of a diamond but can also dribble, pass and score!
✅Is brave and full of courage and aware of the opposition starting an attack
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✅Work together to get back in defense to help the defender and support each other when an attack starts
✅Be brave dribbling through the midfield and if they see a teammate in a great position, try and pass!
✅Stay together, but one is on the right the other on the left to give balance and create a diamond shape
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✅Go for goal! Be a (little) greedy near the goal, be brave and confident!
✅Stay furthest up the field at the tip of the diamond
✅Is the 1st defender to try and get the ball if the opposition has it near their goal
You can also introduce some of the principles of attacking and defending, as below!
⚽Attack: Spread out, help your teammates & go for goal!
⚽Defense: Get compact like a wall & be like a swarm of bees to get the ball back
GAME TIME!
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⚽Use a simple, fun and light soccer exercise to get the players ready for the game.
⚽Something the team are familiar with from practice, like a passing circle or a free dribble drill for 10 minutes.
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⚽Encourage players to work on key points and skills you have practiced at training:
“We worked really hard at dribbling into space at practice - I would love to see you doing that in the game!”
⚽Give some encouragement with positive values:
“Be brave when you’re going to goal!”
“Don’t give up if the other team has the ball! Keep going until you get it back!”
⚽Put them at ease if they notice anything new or unsure about, like field conditions or weather they need to be mindful of:
“You can see it’s a little wet on the field - the ball will probably move faster”
”I know it’s really hot, we have lots of players so we can give you breaks when you need one”
⚽Tell them to HAVE FUN and that you’re PROUD of them.
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⚽DO - ENCOURAGE & BE POSITIVE
Give sporadic, short, concise direction if they really need it to support their game. It will have more of an impact.
“I love that shot on goal, can we do it again?”
“Erin, don’t stop - keep trying to win the ball back!”
“I love you encouraging each other!”
⚽DO NOT - CRITICIZE OR OVER-COACH
Giving too much information might confuse or take them away from the fun of the game - let them play, make mistakes and learn from them.
Over-coaching will slow their development. If you’re continually telling them where to be and what to do they won’t think for themselves and learn to problem solve
⚽Make a note of 2 areas to give feedback on at half-time
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NO BAD GAMES!
There is no such thing as a U6-U8 player having a bad game and NEVER substitute a player that is not performing well, unless they are lacking discipline or they really want to come off!
FEEDBACK
Give short, positive, and encouraging feedback to the player who has come off. Ask them how they thing they did and anything to help their development.
If a player is a little quiet:
“I love the way you dribbled to goal - do you think you can ask for the ball if you think you’re in a good position so you get more chances to go to goal!”
EQUAL PLAYING TIME
Playing time calculator (external link)
Equal playing time and rotation are essential for development. Regardless of where a player wants to play or where they might be best suited players need to experience playing in all positions.
BE PREPARED
Have a substitute plan and be ready to go before you call for a sub.
Call the referee at a stoppage in play
Call off the player you want to bring off
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KEEP IT SHORT & ENCOURAGE
⚽Let them decompress for a couple of minutes, get a drink, and chat among themselves, before asking them to focus, sit down and listen!
If they’re not doing so well, keep them calm and encourage
⚽Address 2 positive areas they’ve done well as a team
“I love how we brave we are in front of goal with all our shots”
“We are working really well as a team with some fantastic passes”
⚽Give specific, positive feedback:
“Jack, I loved the way you dribbled into the space”
“Kate, I love seeing you being so positive and encouraging your teammates”
⚽Give them a solution to something to work on:
“Their number 10 was really skillful, wasn’t she?! Do you think we can work in pairs to stop her going to goal?”
“The wind will be blowing in our faces this half - keep your passes and shots low and focus on dribbling”
⚽Give them something to think about before they go back out:
“Remember to keep working as a team”
“Keep up your brave dribbling to goal!”
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Remember, FUN & DEVELOPMENT are the overall goal and not the scoreline. The scoreline should almost be irrelevant, though most children will know and understand if they’ve won or lost - acknowledge it but don’t make it the focus.
⚽BUILD CONFIDENCE & SUPPORT
WIN? Congratulate them and praise the positive parts of the game
LOSE? ENCOURAGE them, tell them what they did well and how they’ve developed. You don’t need to mention negatives but be mindful of how they can develop those parts of the game for practice.
⚽SPORTSMANSHIP
High-5 or fist-bump the opposition.
They can be happy or sad at the result and can show emotion, but ensure that it is regulated and not showing poor sportsmanship
⚽ ASK THEM:
Did they have fun?
What was the best part of the game?
What did they learn?
What is YOUR takeaway from the game? Did you learn anything about your players you can work with them on or give them confidence on?
Thank the parents, families for their help, support and encouragement and give any information on the coming week
What are they doing for the rest of the weekend?
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If a player shows violent or disrespectful behavior to you, other teammates, opposition, parents, referees or anyone, within the game, it’s completely up to you what you wish to do.
Just be mindful that you are trying to develop players positively and while you should discipline them, you need to ensure you are not embarrassing or scolding the player where this may be outside the coach’s remit.
By having expectations clearly outlined at the start of the season to players and parents that have both the club, the league and your own expectations and rules within them, you can operate within those boundaries.
3 Strikes or a warning is a good way to enforce expectations.
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As a coach of young children learning the basics of the game, both team’s player may need help in understanding how to take a throw-in, where to stand, why there is a stoppage in play. If you feel confident, help any of the players on the field - also, let the referee add some help and coaching in certain situations!
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Sportsmanship should be shown throughout the game by players, coaches and parents.
After the game, fist-bumps or hi-5s, and a sincere ‘good game!’ are the best way to show appreciation.
Remember, good sportsmanship and respect to the opposition and officials keeps them wanting to come back for more. Which is the goal.
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It’s great to score goals and win but you are trying to help all players on both teams develop.
Sometimes in the younger age-groups, there will be a sizeable developmental gap either physically or technically between players or teams.
While you shouldn’t punish your team for their success, remember, the goal is development for all, over the result. In this case, you can:
⚽Add players for the opposition
⚽At a goal-kick, get your players back to half
⚽Allow the opposition over halfway before your team can engage - this can also be good to help practice your defending.
⚽If you have noticeably physically or technically developed players, it is an option to allow them in an older age-group. This will help their development and also keep things more even for development for the rest of the players.
This should be discussed with the parents, player and club.
GOOD STUFF TO KNOW
Click below for more on positions, coaching in-game, team-talks and everything you need to know about the game-day